Head of Knowledge Exchange, Enterprise and Impact

Location: Bloomsbury

Hours: 35 hours per week

About the Role

The role will provide strategic and operational leadership to grow the University’s external engagement, business development and income generation activities, particularly across the social sciences and humanities. The role is responsible for strengthening the University’s knowledge exchange, innovation and enterprise performance in a way that is financially sustainable, values-led and aligned with the University’s academic mission. You will have line management responsibility for two small teams within the Research and Knowledge Exchange Directorate (RKED) focussed on (I) developing partnerships with a range of external clients who can draw upon the School’s unique expertise and broker contracts for research, consultancy and CPD and (II) maximising the impact of our portfolio of underpinning research.

About the Department

The Research and Knowledge Exchange Directorate (RKED) is a growing team that manages the whole lifecycle of research and knowledge exchange activities at SOAS, from supporting researchers to applying for funding, to generating research impact, and commercialising new knowledge.

About you

You will be part of an executive team of four within the Research and Knowledge Exchange Directorate comprising Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange, Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange Delivery, Head of Research Culture and Excellence, and Head of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise. You will work closely with Heads of College to set ambition and determine priorities in relation to knowledge exchange across the School. You will lead through others to build a strategic and operational space for an enterprising and engaged culture which develops and sustains equitable partnerships in line with SOAS’ vision, mission and strategy.

You can find further information on the key criteria for the role in the Job Description and Person Specification, along with a full list of duties and responsibilities, which can be found on the SOAS website

How to Apply

Closing date: 18th May 2026                               

Interviews to be held: TBC

Use of AI

While AI tools can be beneficial, we value the personal touch and authenticity in job applications. We encourage you to highlight your unique experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, ensuring all information is accurate. Please use AI tools responsibly and with integrity throughout the application and selection process.

We are not able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with regard to the application process, please contact us via the HR Contact Form | SOAS.

If you would like an informal chat regarding this role, please kindly contact:

Dr Rachel Lawlor via: rl23@soas.ac.uk

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